A Girl's Turmoil

Chapter 34 - A Visit

On one such evening, Sakurako and Himawari had just departed to school and were on their way back to their home. It was the most significant relief that Sakurako was finally allowed to return to school a few days ago after such an event. Her friends found it quite a surprise that Sakurako could recover that soon. On the other hand, Himawari understands where Sakurako was coming from with Misaka's tale of that incident at the store and what had happened back in that café.

Still, recounting what Yui told her of what she did at the café, she shudders a little to even think that she is capable of such a thing. Himawari quickly shakes her head and focuses on their walk. As far as their day goes by, none of them even said a word along the road. Although Sakurako had already eased up and her temper was not as bad as before the incident, Himawari still noticed that Sakurako remains distracted in her school and home life. There was another thing Himawari noticed when she was distracted, but she could not really pinpoint what expression Sakurako had during those times. She could ask her straight, but she's confident that Sakurako would not want to say anything about that.

While the both of them enjoy the silence, it is also a little bit uncomfortable to the blunette's liking. For how many days were spent in the very same evening walking back home without having anything to talk about, not even a single jab at a bad joke or mockery? Himawari takes a deep sigh and looks at her oblivious face. Sakurako felt her gaze and turned at her.

"Is there something wrong?" Sakurako asked.

"Just wondering," Himawari paused. "What was the title of the book you just borrowed from Chizuru?"

"Oh, it's called Mudblood," Sakurako replied. "She said it's a horror novel."

"That does sound scary, alright," Himawari nodded in agreement. "What's the novel all about?"

"According to the book's synopsis, it's about a Georgian agent who is stranded in the middle of a vast rainforest after a failed mission to rescue a hostage VIP from an organized separatist," Sakurako explained. "But the agent soon finds out there is something more dangerous in the muddy rainforest than it meets the eye. Was it a supernatural force at work or a terrible accident that changed the way of life in the rainforest? That is something he needs to find out by himself."

"Somehow, I feel half-inclined to read that book."

Sakurako raises an eyebrow. "Is it because it's a horror book?"

"Partially," Himawari rubbed her arm. "There's an agent in this story."

"You want someone who is inexperienced and never fought before to be in a horror story?"

"As long as he's smart, I'll buy that," Himawari shrugged. "Having someone who knows how to fight and somehow can deal with that kind of threat just... kind off kill the tension considerably."

"I thought the movies do that even worse," Sakurako replied.

"Well, you're not wrong about some of that," Himawari cast her eyes away from her. "Even though I don't watch horror movies that often."

"I don't think you're one to bear watching a horror movie," Sakurako replied.

"That's true."

Sakurako looks at her curiously. "But can you bear reading one, though?"

"It'll be a bit difficult for me," Himawari responded. "I can manage that, however."

"Maybe I could ask Chizuru to recommend you a book to read."

"Oh, don't worry, I can ask her myself about it," Himawari assured her. "Say, I don't think I noticed it yet, but does Chizuru has collections of books?"